The Mets spent the 2026 season in sell-off mode, and the bullpen took a hit when Luke Weaver was shipped to the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline. That deal mattered because Weaver was under contract through 2027 and was supposed to be part of the relief picture for at least another year. Now New York has a clear need to rebuild that group this winter.
One name already surfacing as a fit is Adrian Morejon. CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa connected the Mets to the San Diego Padres left-hander as a possible free-agent target, and he made it clear the market could be crowded.
"Add in his age, and Morejon will be one of the most in-demand free agents this winter, maybe even the most in-demand," Axisa writes. "Super early possible landing spots: Mets, Tigers."
Morejon checks a lot of boxes for New York. He is 27, throws left-handed, and has put together three straight strong seasons out of the bullpen: a 2.86 ERA in 68 outings this year, a 2.08 ERA in 75 outings in 2025, and a 2.83 ERA in 60 outings in 2024.
That kind of consistency is why he stands out as an obvious upgrade over the Mets’ current relief options. He would also give them flexibility if they wanted to stretch him into the rotation. Clay Holmes has already been used that way, and Morejon has the kind of profile that could make that idea worth another look.
If the Mets do pursue him, the fit with Devin Williams would be especially intriguing. Together, they would give New York a much more formidable late-game combination.
For David Stearns, the winter has to deliver. A strong offseason is the assignment, and landing Morejon would go a long way toward making it happen.
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Each has a different case, but all three bring the kind of minor league production and positional flexibility that can move a player quickly into the conversation. The question now is which one is most likely to follow the path of the current rookies and put himself in position to help the Mets by 2027, a race that will be shaped as much by development and roster fit as by raw talent. [Read more 🡒]
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Mets Should Be Watching More Than One Dodgers Pitching Option
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Evan Phillips, Eric Lauer and Alex Vesia all belong in that conversation, each bringing a different profile and a different level of risk. The Mets have to weigh performance against health and role fit, which makes the group more complicated than a simple star chase. If the front office is serious about adding pitching with flexibility, the Dodgers free-agent list offers more than one path, even if the most obvious answer is not the only one worth pursuing. [Read more 🡒]